It’s Been Thirty Blessed Years…

Please note…after reading below’s heartfelt words from Ocean, feel free to join her and other Friends of the Crossroads for a cyberspace celebration featuring some yummy food, plenty of booze, and great music! You can find the party here:

Today is Litha, better known as the Summer Solstice…the longest day of the year.

But I know it best as my anniversary. I was ordained as a Wiccan High Priestess at the Summer Solstice. I became the FIRST Deaf woman in the United States to achieve the title of Third Degree High Priestess – and to this day, as far as I know I am still the only Deaf individual to hold such a rank.

That was in 1984. Thirty years ago.

Ocean wearing her priestess vest

Today as I celebrate my thirtieth anniversary as a priestess, I reflect back over the years…the people I’ve met, the experiences I have had.

I’ve been blessed.

Ocean during her “red bob phase”…wearing a silk celestial shirt

I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a number of wonderful gatherings large and small over the years.

I’ve meditated in a sweat lodge, danced around a campfire, drummed in a circle, walked across hot coals.

Ocean in her water mask, participating in a ritual to cleanse and bless the Ohio River

I’ve stood outside in a sacred grove under a full moon, and called forth Spirits near and dear to me.

Ocean visiting Spirit Tree – a very special and sacred friend

I’ve sat inside in a room lit by candles, with the scent of incense wafting in the air, and invoked those same Spirits.

Ocean praying at the altar during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting at Newtown

I am especially thankful for the many wonderful people I have met and friends I have made over the years, who have shared with me their own knowledge and wisdom. I especially want to honor the members of my Clan and my Crossroads Study Group, who have become my own special family. I am not going to try and name everyone here, for fear of forgetting someone…but you all know who you are.

Ocean with fellow Hoosier and Priestess, Edain McCoy

Back in 2009 I put up a post here at the Crossroads announcing the silver anniversary of my ordination. A number of people sent me warm remarks, which were incorporated into the post, along with photographs of myself – some of them with friends. I was just looking at it the other day, and remembering fondly the people in these pictures, and smiling in gratitude for their kind words and the love which they expressed.

Ocean with Clan member and Spirit-Bro Wolf Wind

It’s now five years later…wow, where did the time go??? When I mentioned this to my maiden priestess Crystal, she shared with me her own disbelief – seems like just yesterday we were partying under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, dining on steaks, lobster, and chowdah while washing it all down with goblets of mead.

Ocean with her SpiritSistah, Maiden Priestess, and Partner-In-Crime Crystal

A lot can happen in just five years. I’ve returned to the place of my birth in the Midwest, and now make my home in Louisville, Kentucky. I nursed my mother through her final months of terminal illness and watched her finally succumb to the ravishes of cancer. I purchased my very first house, and with a friend made that trip of a lifetime to visit the sacred sites of Ireland. I’ve reunited with a couple of friends from my past, said hello to some new friends and goodbye to a few old ones. I’ve taught at a deaf preschool program, where I’ve learned valuable lessons from a bunch of four year olds.

Ocean and fellow Deaf Priestess D’Angel in front of the entrance to Stonehenge, in County Meath, Ireland

Ocean with sign language interpreters Darren and Pam at the public presentation given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

I’ve announced that I am a writer, and to that effect I am now working on a book – My Goddess Wears Hearing Aids – which hopefully will be published next year.

Yup…this High Priestess wears hearing aids!

I’ve continued to practice my spirituality – predominately as a solitary, but every now and then I get together with others, such as my dear friends Fyre and MoonRose, or my gal pal Tara. I oversee a small group of like-minded folks on Facebook, interact with other Pagans on various Pagan sites, and make the occasional Pagan-related post on my own page. I continue to write articles for my blog…although now with the focus being on my book, I’ve not been blogging at the Crossroads so much.

Ocean with peace-loving gal pal Tara

But regardless, the merger of my identity as a Deaf person with my spirituality as a Pagan continues to be the predominate theme of my life.

Ocean in her Witchy Hat

It’s been a good thirty years.

Ocean today, relaxing at an antique fair

So on this day of Midsummer I raise my chalice of mead, thank you all for being a part of my life, and offer you this special blessing:

By the Earth that is Her body,

By the Air that is Her breath,

By the Water that is Her blood,

And by the Fire that is Her spirit…

May the Goddess bless and keep you always in her heart,

May you always remember that I love you, merry meet and merry part.

And merrily shall we meet again.

Goddess Bless and Goddess Keep,

~ Ocean

Please feel free to post a comment below and share your own thoughts for Ocean as she celebrates this milestone!

I was waiting until I had finished digesting all that delicious BBQ before I responded, but I can’t let this go without saying something…

Terry, you were way out of line here. You owe not only Ocean, but all of us witches a major apology.

Not only were your comments insensitive and idiotic, they were also insulting and ignorant.

Let’s dissect the offending statements:

1) “What happened to your beautiful hair…”

I happen to think Ocean is beautiful, regardless of her hair. And anyone who thinks beauty should defined by your hair length is extremely narrow-minded. There is far more to beauty than just looks, and Osh has demonstrated that time and time again. Not only is she an attractive woman, she is a beautiful person, inside and out. That’s why I and so many of us here in the Pagan Community love her so. And frankly, I happen to think she looks good in that short ‘do of hers. It fits her face and her personality. It takes a strong woman to carry off a cut like that, and Ocean is one of the strongest women I know.

2) “Did the witches cut it off???”

Oh my fucking Goddess, what the hex were you thinking??? If this was intended to be a joke, it’s not funny and nobody is laughing.

I’m an ordained High Priest with more miles behind me than Ocean, and I can tell you right now that NEVER have I ever required that a member of my coven cut their hair off, or witnessed such a requirement of my fellow practitioners of the Craft. And I can assure you that neither I nor my fellow witches would ever take clippers to someone’s head without their consent.

There are various reasons why Osh or any other witch might choose to cut her hair short. Maybe it’s easier to take care of. Maybe it’s nice and cool for these hot summer months. Maybe someone botched a perm or got tired of a hair color. Whatever the reason might be…frankly, it’s nobody’s business – and certainly not yours. Ocean is perfectly free to do whatever she wants… it’s her hair and her choice. And if you don’t like it, at least have the decency to keep your mouth shut.

I’ve a dear friend – a fellow practicing witch and member of my coven – who after having long hair for many years now has a short ‘do much like Ocean’s. Yes, it’s a drastic change…but when I look at her, I’m just so thankful. You see, she’s recovering from a battle with breast cancer. When I think how close I came to losing someone whose friendship has meant so much to me, and remember when she was “as bald as a ping-pong ball” (her own words), her hair looks even more beautiful.

3) “I guess I can say happy anniversary although I am NOT into witchcraft.”

You guess, huh?

Newsflash – you’re not required to be a witch to say Happy Anniversary. You’re not required to be Pagan. (And FYI – being Pagan and being a Witch are NOT the same thing.) There are plenty of folks who are Friends of the Crossroads who are not Pagan. And you know something? They are just as warmly welcomed here as anyone and everyone else. It’s all about respect – something your comment shows a lack of.

So you’re not into witchcraft. So what??? Was there a reason you found it imperative to announce this fact to the whole wide world? Who cares? With this statement, you make it sound as if you find witchcraft to be something at least borderline abhorrent…to be feared, to be avoided, to be repelled. It makes me wonder why you even bothered to come here and leave a comment at all.

And by the way…we are Witches. This is our spiritual path. We are NOT “into witchcraft” – any more than a Baptist is “into” Christianity, a Jew is “into” Judaism, a Muslim is “into” Islam. We practice a form of religion known as Wicca. We are one of the many branches of a large spiritual tree known as Paganism. Both Osh and I are eclectic in our practice – although our foundation is Wicca and this is the tradition by which we were ordained, we pull from a variety of different paths…including Shamanism, Druidism, Heathenism, Celtic Spirituality, Native American Spirituality, and other sources. And yes…magick plays a role in our spirituality.

So once again, Terry…I found your comment here to be an offensive one, and your statements to be based upon blatant ignorance that does indeed come across rather idiotic, and quite prejudicial. Whether or not it was intentional, it was uncalled for.

I think you would be best off taking your leave from this site, and refraining from making any further comments here at the Crossroads. Next time I may not be so kind in my remarks.

my statement was 100% unintentional.. I regret my statement to the entire community; I have known Ocean for many, many years I hope one ignorant statement will not prevent me from communicating with her. Terry

I love Hawk’s response and believe Terry is saying what she said as insensitive and abhorrent. I myself is not a “witch” but enjoy the stories and information that comes from Ocean’s Crossroads. Ocean is a beautiful womyn short hair included….

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MEET OCEAN

Ocean is the creator & manager of this blog. Born deaf into an all-hearing family, she was raised oral and attended hearing schools. Ocean began learning sign language at the ripe old age of 16, and after meeting a Deaf man began her own journey through Deafhood. She graduated from Gallaudet College (now University), and has held positions both within & outside of the field of Deaf Services.

Ocean has been a practicing Pagan for nearly 40 years, and is an ordained High Priestess of the Wiccan tradition. She considers herself "an eclectic witch," with a primary focus on Celtic Spirituality, but an interest in many different areas. A skilled tarot reader, she once donated her services to help raise funds for a Domestic Violence agency. She has also done workshops on aromatherapy, herbalism, & Paganism for the Deaf Community.

Currently Ocean is offering presentations where she discusses the merger of her spirituality as a Pagan with her identity as a Deaf woman, and also teaches workshops on Signs for Pagan Spirituality. Please contact her if you would be interested in sponsoring such a presentation or workshop.

As a passionate advocate, Ocean often speaks out on the need for greater access for Deaf people (Pagan or otherwise) - interpreters, captioned videos, CART, etc...and works to build bridges between the Deaf & Hearing communities.

She lives on the banks of the Ohio River with a grumpy feline wizard named Gandalf, and is currently working on a book discussing the merger of her identity as a Deaf person with her spirituality as a Pagan.

To contact Ocean,
you may email her at oshginva@gmail.com

MAKING CONNECTIONS

This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!

BLOG & CONTACT INFO

Deaf Pagan Crossroads is a blog, operated by one individual - Ocean. It is not an on-line coven or community. While I do have limited knowledge of and contact with other Deaf/ASL Pagans around the country, I am not aware of any Deaf covens. I'm happy to share what information I may have, but I may not have the answers you are seeking. I encourage readers to do their own research and find their own answers whenever possible.

Those who wish to contact me privately may do so by sending an email to

oshginva@gmail.com

Please be aware that it may take me a few days to respond, depending on my time and priorities.

Thank you!

WANT TO REBLOG OR TO USE EXCERPTS FROM POSTS ON THIS BLOG?

Sometimes readers will see something here and wish to use it in a paper or on their own blog/website. Others may desire to reblog a post.

While I am flattered by such interest, please be aware that most of the writings on this blog site are the property of Deaf Pagan Crossroads and are copyrighted by Virginia L. Beach. As such, they may not be reproduced nor reblogged elsewhere without the expressed permission of the owner. I'm usually pretty open to allowing usage of such if you just take the time to ask.

Permission may be granted by contacting Ocean at oshginva@gmail.com

Thank you.

copyright 2006 - 2014 Virginia L. Beach

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